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2018 Austin Marathon Releases New Course

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New course will highlight more Austin landmarks and enhance race day traffic

High Five Events introduces a new course for the 2018 Austin Marathon® that will highlight more of Austin’s iconic landmarks on race day and engage more Austin businesses and restaurants. The new course was designed to provide a better participant and spectator experience and allow enhanced traffic flow along the course, while still finishing with the picturesque Texas State Capitol as every runner’s backdrop.

“I love the Austin Marathon, not just because it reminds me every year of when I ran the half marathon but also because we get to show off our beautiful city to thousands of visitors, and those visitors leave behind tips for service industry workers and taxes that we use for the arts and historic preservation,” said Austin Mayor Steve Adler. “Only one person can come in first, but everyone in town wins the Austin Marathon.”

The first half of the Austin Marathon will remain unchanged. After Mile 12, half marathoners will head south to the finish line while marathoners continue east before turning north and running through The Drag, a portion of Guadalupe St. that runs along the western edge of the University of Texas campus. The course will highlight Austin staples like the University of Texas Tower and historic Hyde Park neighborhood, while taking marathoners on a tour of East Austin’s restaurants, murals, and landmarks. The course map can be viewed on the website.

High Five Events has worked closely with the City of Austin Transportation Department and the Capital Metro Transportation Authority throughout the planning of this beneficial course change. By working with the city and continuing outreach efforts to local communities and businesses, the goals of enhancing traffic flow and highlighting more of Austin will be achieved. An increasing number of businesses and restaurants are opening their doors to accommodate the tens of thousands of runners and spectators who make up race day. All of these contributing factors will lead to the 2018 Austin Marathon increasing its 2017 economic impact of $34.4 million.

“The Bee Grocery is honored to be on the Austin Marathon’s new course; we’re counting down the days to February 18, 2018,” said Brenda Le, owner of The Bee Grocery. “Race day is full of excitement and we know downtown will be buzzing with all of the runners and spectators. Good luck to all the runners!”

The Austin Marathon will celebrate its 27th year running in the capital of Texas on February 18, 2018. Austin’s flagship running event annually attracts runners from all 50 states and 20+ countries around the world. Having start and finish locations just a few blocks apart, being within walking distance of many downtown hotels and restaurants, and finishing in front of the picturesque Texas State Capitol makes the Austin Marathon the perfect running weekend destination. Participants can register for the marathon, half marathon, or 5K. The new course is awaiting final approval from the City Council, expected mid-November.

Austin Gives Miles Selects Charities for 2018 Austin Marathon

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***Press release

Austin Gives Miles, the Austin Marathon’s Official Charity Program, is pleased to announce the selection of the 29 Official Charities for 2018. The accepted nonprofits will raise awareness for their mission, provide volunteer support, and recruit runners to fundraise on their behalf while they train for the Austin Marathon®, set to take place on Feb. 18, 2018.

This is the fifth year that Austin Gives Miles will be the Official Charity Program for the Austin Marathon. This year’s goal, to raise more than $750,000, will ensure the selected Official Charities can continue to positively affect the Central Texas community. While registering for the marathon, half marathon or 5K, runners can opt-in to fundraise for their favorite nonprofit while they train. Read more about the accepted charities. 

Austin Gives Miles

Gilbert Tuhabonye, co-founder of Gazelle Foundation.

“The Gazelle Foundation is thrilled to join the Austin Marathon’s Austin Gives Miles program for the first time,” says Kippi Griffith, Executive Direction for the Gazelle Foundation.  “Being an Austin Gives Miles Official Charity is a great complement to the significant amount accomplished by Austinites and we know this opportunity to engage with more runners will help us further our mission of participating locally for a global cause.”

Last year, Austin Gives Miles contributed more than $637,000 to the Central Texas community through its fundraising efforts. The Moody Foundation pitched in and matched contributions made, up to $10,000, for each organization. In addition to the funds and awareness raised, last year’s Austin Gives Miles Official Charities recruited more than 500 runners and provided more than 1500 volunteers.

“Last year was a record-breaking year and benefitted both the organizations and the local community,” said Carly Samuelson, Austin Gives Miles Charity Manager. “We have a great mixture of returning and new nonprofits and I’m confident that we can surpass our goal, just like 2017!”

Austin Gives Miles is continuing their partnership with CrowdRise as it’s online fundraising platform. CrowdRise is the world’s largest and fastest growing online platform dedicated exclusively to charitable fundraising.

The Austin Marathon will celebrate its 27th year running in the capital of Texas. In 2017, Austin’s flagship running event attracted runners from all 50 states and 22 countries around the world. Having start and finish locations just a few blocks apart, being within walking distance of many downtown hotels and restaurants, and finishing in front of the picturesque Texas State Capitol makes the Austin Marathon the perfect running weekend destination.

2018 Austin Marathon Announces Title Sponsor Opportunity

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The Austin Marathon is seeking title sponsorship with a company wanting to associate itself with one of the sports’ top events in one of America’s best cities. The 2017 Austin Marathon had an estimated combined total of 100,000 participants, volunteers, and race-day spectators, an economic impact of $34.4 million for the City of Austin in 2017, and online impressions that soared into the millions. The position of title sponsor for the Austin Marathon is ideal for any company seeking to increase its brand recognition and strengthen its brand loyalty within the health and fitness community both locally and around the globe.

“In 2017, the Austin Marathon increased their economic impact to $34.4 million, launched several new integrated marketing opportunities, and substantially grew their reach both online and in-person,” said Lance Aldridge, Executive Director of the Austin Sports Commission. “2017 was a banner year for Austin’s premier running event and this title sponsor opportunity is the perfect platform for any business with a desire to increase their brand recognition in Austin and within the endurance community.”

The title sponsor can utilize corporate social responsibility benefits like large-scale volunteer opportunities, increased employee health and wellness through event participation, and enhanced community engagement both pre-race and race weekend.

The Austin Marathon title sponsor will benefit from being associated with –

  • FloTrack’s world class broadcast of the Austin Marathon
  • Olympic silver medalist Leo Manzano, Official Race Ambassador
  • Raising nearly $700K for nonprofits in 2017
  • An exciting Elite Athlete Program focused on showcasing the sport’s top athletes
  • The support of Mayor Steve Adler and the Austin Sports Commission
  • Austin, Texas – Forbes’ Fastest Growing American City in 2016
  • One of the most technologically advanced marathons
  • A bustling Finish Line Festival complete with Beer Garden, Recovery Tent, live music, and more

“We’ve put a tremendous amount of work into the Austin Marathon and our event is continuing to trend in the right direction,” said Jack Murray, co-owner of High Five Events. “We’re looking for the right partner who wants to grow with our ever-evolving event, bring fresh ideas to the table, and support our worldwide community.”

The Austin Marathon will celebrate its 27th year running in the capital of Texas on Sunday, February 18, 2018. In 2017, Austin’s flagship running event attracted runners from all 50 states and 22 countries around the world. Having start and finish locations just a few blocks apart, being within walking distance of many downtown hotels and restaurants, and finishing in front of the picturesque Texas State Capitol makes the Austin Marathon the perfect running weekend destination. Sponsorship inquiries can be sent directly to Jack Murray at sponsorship@highfiveevents.com.

2018 Austin Marathon, Zilker Relays Join Forces

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1 Team 2 great events! Start your team training for the Austin Marathon at the Zilker Relays!

***Press Release

Teams currently registered and groups who plan to register for the 2018 Austin Marathon are invited to begin their training at Zilker Relays on September 8, 2017. The event is the perfect opportunity for teams to kick off their marathon or half marathon training, meet new runners and increase their team size, and learn more about the Austin Marathon’s recently opened Team Registration.

“Much of running is built around individual training and goal-setting,” said Paul Perrone, founder of Zilker Relays. “While the Zilker Relays provides a race atmosphere, we also represent teamwork, camaraderie, and fun. We are excited that the Austin Marathon is incorporating a team component to their event in February and we’re thrilled to introduce this initiative to our teams at the Zilker Relays.”

Create your Austin Marathon dream team today!

Zilker Relays offers a 4-person, 10-mile relay around Austin’s Zilker Park with each person completing one 2.5-mile leg. Team categories include open, corporate, just for fun, and more. In true Austin fashion, the finisher party will feature tacos and live music. Registration is available on the Zilker Relay’s website.

“The team aspect within running has become increasingly popular and we’re excited to offer various perks for those who run the 2018 Austin Marathon, Half Marathon, or 5K as a team,” said Jack Murray, co-owner of High Five Events. “Zilker Relays offers the perfect distance, atmosphere, and timeline for teams to begin their training for the Austin Marathon.”

Austin Marathon team sizes range from fewer than 34 participants, 35 – 49 participants, and greater than 50 participants. Teams can be public or private and they can pay individually or in bulk. All groups will have access to the Team Management system, have their Team Name printed on their bib, and have the option for early team packet pick up. Teams of 35+ will have the option to have a 10×10 space at the Finish Line Festival. Teams with more than 50 participants will have the option to have a 10×20 at the Finish Line Festival. Team captains are advised to follow these helpful instructions when setting up their team.

The Austin Marathon will celebrate its 27th year running in the capital of Texas. Austin’s flagship running event annually attracts runners from all 50 states and 20+ countries around the world. With start and finish locations just a few blocks apart, and within walking distance of many downtown hotels and restaurants, the Austin Marathon is the perfect running weekend destination. Participants can register for the marathon, half marathon, or 5K.